System, method and apparatus for converting and integrating media files

ABSTRACT

The present invention teaches a digital media file conversion and integration system including a server coupled to the Internet to allow users to download media files to a server the Internet. The system contains devices to screen, compress, and update the media files, devices to break down the media files into low level components, devices to convert one or media files to an intermediate format and then combine the intermediate formats to create an output format, devices to convert output formats to a presentation file, electronic storage to allow third party access to the presentation file through the Internet or email. Presentation files can be created for electronic devices such as portable digital assistants or cellular phones. Users can choose from several output formats. Users can subscribe to the presentation service or pay per use. In an alternate embodiment, users can author digital media files on a personal computer and download the authored file to the presentation conversion system.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to digital media conversion andintegration. More particularly, the invention teaches automated systemswhich allow multimedia presentations to be derived from one or moremultiple digital media files and are delivered in a desired formatthrough the Internet or software download.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many formats for various digital media files which includesound, video, and presentation files. Many of these formats aredependent on the type of software in which the media file was created.For example, a very popular presentation software program calledPOWERPOINT® created by Microsoft corporation for the personal computerwas developed and marketed in the early 1990s. This presentation programintegrated text, pictures, diagrams, and graphs into a set of frames,commonly called “slides,” which could be “played” back sequentiallyeither manually or timed to create a presentation. In the firstembodiments, the capabilities of this software were limited; however,with the progress of computing power, memory and digital mediacompression techniques, the presentation software began to assist indeveloping traditional business presentations.

The POWERPOINT® and other software system is represented by prior artFIG. 1. Other integrated presentation software was made by othermanufacturers such as Claris (CLARIS, etc.), Harvard Graphics, andPersuasion. A typical presentation consists of 3 active screens 100,120, and 140 and two pause screens 110 and 130 over five time periodsT1–T5. Screen 100 is composed of text 102 and a picture 104, screen 120is composed of a picture 122 and a graph 124, screen 140 is composed ofa histogram 142 and a body of text 144.

As demand for information increased, multimedia presentation softwareprograms began to replace some more traditional forms of media likeprint and video and even the in-person business presentation. Needlessto say, with the advancement of the Internet, graphics, text, sound andvideo presentations, demand increased for information services. Althougha presentation file could be downloaded from an Internet site or sentvia email, presentation software like Powerpoint® could not be displayedover the Internet in a multimedia format.

Although Powerpoint® now has a built-in feature which allows a user toadd a sound file to an individual frame, this add-in procedure requiresthat the user will have broken up each sound file into the appropriatelength for the frame. This procedure can be extraordinarily timeconsuming and require an average user to develop advanced multimediaproduction skills in order to add a simple sound file to a “slide.”

Other multimedia software such as QUICKTIME® developed by Applecomputer, REAL PLAYER®, developed by Real Networks or MICROSOFT MEDIAPLAYER® developed by Microsoft can integrate digital video and soundwhile making a media file accessible over the Internet. However, theseproprietary formats must be created by complicated multimedia editingsoftware programs. Quicktime® can also incorporate many times of mediafile formats into the Quicktime® file, presented on the Internet.However, these files must all be extensively authored and incorporatedmanually by a Quicktime® authoring software user. A Quicktime® filecreation schematic is depicted in FIG. 2. A virtual player is typicallycomposed of a screen 150 a virtual viewing area 152 and virtual controls154 which control the direction and speed of the video or presentation.

There are currently computer software products which allow for someconversion of digital video and audio media in an authoring capacityonly. Such software products are prohibitively expensive for consumersand extremely complex to learn and generally designed for multimediaproduction professionals only. An example of this is MEDIA CLEANER®published by Media 100, Inc., represented by FIG. 3. This multimediacomputer program allows a web professional to take digital videos inseveral basic formats and turn it into a specific digital video formatappropriate for web publishing and streaming.

Media 100 also has software which converts digital audio with digitalsound (Data translation of Marlboro, Mass. currently holds U.S. Pat. No.5,506,932, a system for synchronizing digital video to digital audio)which is represented by FIG. 4. However, such software tools meant forauthoring Internet multimedia documents and are geared towards use byhighly trained multimedia professionals. Other similar computer softwareprograms allow digital video to be put into the Quicktime®, MicrosoftMedia Player® and Real® or MP4 formats. The proprietary nature of thesesoftware authoring products is useful for the media productionprofessional, but is clearly not designed for the average consumerneeding a multimedia business presentation quickly and inexpensively.

Additionally, these multimedia computer programs use virtual mediasoftware called “players” and need to be installed onto a personalcomputer in order to play back the proprietary multimedia files. Oftenthese players are very large computer programs which have to bedownloaded from a proprietary Internet site or installed by CD-ROM. Mostof the products cost money and take time to download. Although Internetconnections are getting faster, if a viewer does not have a particularproprietary media player installed on their computer they may not waitto take the necessary steps to view a presentation. For example, if abusiness wanted to place a promotional multimedia digital file on itsInternet site, they would need at least three formats because thedifferent multimedia formats are not compatible with each other and mustbe posted and downloaded separately in order to reach a variety ofcustomers using the various software formats, such as Real, WindowsMedia, Quicktime, etc. This could be extraordinarily expensive and timeconsuming as well as create an Internet site that uses more computermemory and looks confusing.

Not only does dependence on one type of multimedia format give rise tologistical problems in getting multimedia information to consumers,there are also serious antitrust and free market considerations as well.These software market problems may severely limit the ability ofconsumers to choose the media format they most prefer as opposed to themedia player format that currently dominates the software market.

Currently, there are many types of digital media formats, which can bedivided into proprietary software formats and platform formats.Proprietary software formats can only be utilized by a specific companysoftware, like the Real® and Window Media® “players” described above. Incontrast, platform formats are software format standards usuallydeveloped by a group of industry experts. Such media formats includeJPEG, MP3, etc. and usually cost nothing to use, because they aredeveloped in the “open platform” setting. The Internet presentationlanguages XML and DHTML are languages that have been developed in an“open platform” setting and are therefore free for programmers to use(although programmers in these languages may choose to purchase aparticular version).

It is important to note that unlike popular word processing computerprograms or spreadsheet computer programs, there are not easy conversionoptions for these multimedia player files. Therefore, a Microsoft Word®computer program will be able to open a Wordperfect® document, but aReal player® will not be able to open a Quicktime® or Powerpoint® filefor viewing.

In addition to the commercially available multimedia formats, severalcompanies offer software products in which a viewer can use thecompany's own “player” to view a multimedia file. In almost allinstances, this is the only way in which the final digital media formatcan be viewed. Companies that are using this type of technology include:Digital Lava, Eloquent, Brainshark, Loudeye, and Presenter.com.

Instant Presentation™ developed by Presenter.com, is a product thatallows a consumer to integrate voice/sound with a Powerpoint™presentation. In contrast to the present invention, the voice/sound fileis integrated by telephone and therefore in limited in the number ofways that sound be applied to the presentation. The 2.0 version ofINSTANT PRESENTATION™ appears to have some customizing capabilities forpresentations and allows a consumer to track the amount of times thepresentation has been viewed. However, the INSTANT PRESENTATION™ productdoes not break down digital media into components, but captures imagesas a whole, which limits the types of conversions that this product mayperform and the number of “players” that this product supports.

Digital Lava produces a multi-media product called “FIRE STREAM,” whichruns on an open-ended architecture. This product allows multiple mediatechnologies can be integrated and the HOTFOOT™ product from DigitalLava integrates sound and animation for Powerpoint® which can then beaccessed by a viewing consumer. Like the above-discussed INSTANTPRESENTATION™ this product does not break down a digital media file intoits low-level constituent components and is therefore limited in thenumber of types of conversions that it can perform. Eloquent appears tobe using an open ended architecture for a “rich media” player. Thissoftware product is limited in the same way the above products in thatit does not break down the digital media file. The end multimediaproduct created by this software must be viewed on a large Eloquentplayer plug-in. This product does not appear to have a fully automatedsolution which will allow self-service recording to turn into anInternet ready presentation. The Brainshark™ product is limited in thesame manner that it does not decompose a file into the constituentcomponents, even though it allows a user to record a voice over thephone to synchronize to a Powerpoint® presentation.

Loudeye's MEDIA SYNDICATOR, is introduced as both a product and aservice. Also, it looks like it is primarily designed to sell anddistribute streaming media to consumers for syndication and consumptionthrough e-commerce, which is not in the same industry as the presentinvention, nor is a conversion system. Real Producer® is anothersoftware product that will allow delivery of a presentation, but it willcreate output for only one type of player.

As would be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the above discussedproducts require more bandwidth to execute the delivery of presentationsbecause the non-decomposed files require more bandwidth than files thathave been broken down into their base components.

What is needed is a combination of software and hardware which canautomatically break down a variety of digital media into componentelements such as text, fonts, shapes, pictures, videos, etc., especiallyanimations, so that the digital component data can be recreated in amultiple of presentation formats for various viewing devices, such asweb browsers, PDAs, set top boxes, and mobile telephones. In addition,this combination of software and hardware should not absolutely requireproprietary software or absolutely require a viewing consumer to havethe viewer or plug-in in order to see a digital media presentation. Whatis also needed is a method for treating a digital media presentation sothat the bandwidth needed to deliver such presentations is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses many of the above-listed problems byproviding an integrated system, method and apparatus for converting andintegrating multiple digital media files including proprietary softwarefile formats, into a single desired digital multimedia format, which canviewed as a presentation over the Internet or played on a personalcomputer. The subscriber or user can choose the output presentation froma variety of formats. The present invention uniquely breaks a digitalmedia file into its components, so that it may be reconstructed into amany formats and delivered to a user with only the necessary components.The minimalization in the number of digital media components needed todeliver a presentation reduces the bandwidth needed to deliver such apresentation.

The preferred embodiment of the invention allows a user to choose from avariety of output formats of the integrated digital media format andthen prompts the user to upload the media files that are to be changedinto the presentation file. The invention then allows the user to uploadthe user's file inputs, such as Powerpoint®, animation, or audio file,screen the files, load the digital media files into a conversion enginethrough the Internet, and convert and integrate the digital media filesinto the user's desired output format. The invention also includes asystem for the creation of a generic web presentation format from theconverted output format which may be accessed by multiple users throughthe Internet or a corporate intranet.

Although one embodiment of the present invention utilizes a specialmedia plug-in to allow a third party to view the output presentationsvia the Internet, it is not necessary to load a proprietary plug-in ontoa computer to achieve the final desired output for viewing. It is afeature of the present invention that allows a user to choose if theywant a media player output feature. Hence the invention does not requirea viewer to have software, other than a web browser, installed on apersonal computer before viewing the output format.

An alternate embodiment of the invention also provides a specificInternet presentation software authoring tool for combining aproprietary software digital media file such as Powerpoint® with anydigital media file. This file integration software may be executed on apersonal computer with substantially less effort than existingproprietary technology. The integrated file is then delivered to theabove-discussed presentation publishing system and allows thepresentation file to be viewed as a web presentation for third partiesvia Internet access, intranet access, or email.

The present invention is far more cost effective than other webpresentation versions of multimedia files that are created manually.Hence, the automated presentation capabilities of the present inventionmake it far more efficient and less expensive to implement and updatethan the above listed art, where such competitors are performing thesetasks manually or using multiple server components including a telephoneserver.

These intermediate digital media files can then be integrated by atransformation module. This integration may or may not require a specialdigital signal in order to synchronize the multiple digital media input,but such a “synchronization signal” can be added by the transformationengine in order to facilitate integration.

In an alternate embodiment the invention converts the media input filesdirectly to the desired output formats without first converting theinput files to intermediate digital media files. This can beaccomplished by uploading files to a specific Internet site which thendownloads them into the present invention.

The integration of the individual digital media files may be executed ona server by uploading the digital media files to the server from apersonal computer, or by running the software on a personal computerwhere the digital media files are stored (as in the “Presedia Producer”software product).

After the multiple digital media inputs have been integrated into asingle multimedia digital file, the invention converts the multimediadigital file into various formats which can be accessed by a consumer.The invention then allows the user to publish the multimedia file on aweb-accessed server for multiple user access via the Internet from anylocation that has web access. The consumer may also download themultimedia presentation to a computer from a server.

The present invention enables a consumer to view the new integrateddigital media presentation without requiring a specific software“player” or viewing platform. This is in contrast to some of thetechnology discussed above in the prior art. Although the applicant'sinvention teaches a method of delivery though the Internet to both theuser consumer and viewing consumer, Internet or network delivery is nota necessary part of the present invention. The invention also teachesfuture plans for an automated e-commerce component, but it is notcurrently utilizing this aspect of invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of prior art Powerpoint® or equivalentpresentation view.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of prior art Quicktime® view.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of prior art Media Cleaner multimedia videoadaption system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic of prior art example in which digital video anddigital audio are synchronized.

FIG. 5A is a flow diagram of the method of digital media conversion andintegration in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a continuation of the flow diagram of 5A.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of the process involved in the alternateembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a digital media conversion and integrationsystem.

FIG. 8A is a block diagram of the computer system that executes thedigital media conversion and integration system.

FIG. 8B is a block diagram of the digital media conversion systeminteracting with the Internet and a personal computer.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an input handling module.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the digital media transformation module.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the digital media transform engine.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the digital media integration module.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the device building module.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the alternate embodiment with the personalcomputer media production module.

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram of the steps involved in the transformationmodule process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of the embodiments, reference ismade to the drawings that accompany and that are a part of theembodiments. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specificembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. Those embodimentsare described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the invention and it is to be understood that other embodimentsmay be utilized and that structural, logical, and electrical changes aswell as other modifications may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention.

DEFINITIONS

Throughout the description of the invention the following expressionsare used:

-   “Proprietary format” indicates software file format which is    controlled by a particular company.-   “Platform format:” non-proprietary file formats, generally developed    by industry groups, include JPEG, MPEG, etc. accessible by all users    without software purchases or other licensing fees.-   A “Digital media file” Any file which contains coded information    which when decoded by executing media software will deliver sound,    text, graphs, or, video that contains more than mere text or    numerical manipulations.-   “Module” is meant as a synonym for a code segment executable in    computer language that will perform a series of function on data,    which is usually self-contained and can be called by other modules    or systems.-   “Executable at X” means that the X system or X module calls a    function or module.-   “Code segment” is a series of instructions which can be compiled and    executed by a computer in order to perform a set of functions.-   “Low-level components” is a term used to describe the basic data    structures which are extracted from data stored in particular    software formats. For example a picture may be stored in a    proprietary graphics file format in which superfluous information is    contained when the picture is converted into pixel information which    contains only information on pixel location, brightness and color.    In the specification the expression “module” is used, in the claims    “code segment” is used. These terms can be interchanged, although    “code segment” is broader than module in theory, because a code    segment can be executed by any system. A module must generally be    “called.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A–B a method 900 for converting and integratingmultiple digital media files is shown. In step 902 a user goes to aproprietary website through the Internet or other appropriateconnection. After the user is connected to the website, an HTML scriptis loaded onto the user's computer that allows a user to choose adesired media output in step 904.

In step 906, the system determines to make sure that it can deliver thedesired media output. In step 908 if it cannot deliver the desiredoutput it asks the user if the user wishes for another digital mediaoutput. If the user does not wish another output then the program exitsin step 999, if user does the system is returned to step 904.

In step 910, the system asks the user for a device specific output likePDAs, regular web presentation, etc. The system determines if it canmatch the desired digital media output to the desired device in step912. If there is no match, the system asks the user for another devicespecific output in step 913. If the system cannot deliver the desiredoutput then the system is exited in step 999. Otherwise the programreturns to step 910.

In step 914, the user chooses the desired inputs from a list of possibledigital media inputs. In step 916, the system decides whether it canconvert and integrate the possible digital media inputs. If the systemcan perform the conversion it proceeds to step 920, but if it cannot thesystem checks to see if it can convert the digital media format input toa format that it can convert to the desired digital media output in step918. If it cannot it informs the use in step 998 and exits the programin 999.

In step 920 the system prompts the user to a screen which allows thedigital media input files to be downloaded to the system. The userattaches the files to such a prompt either by manual command or aspecial screen and downloads the files to the temporary storage server418 in step 922. In step 924 the digital media input files are loadedinto the input handler module 420. In step 926 the files are checked forsecurity problems such as viruses and for uncorrectable file errors. Instep 928 if the files contain viruses or uncorrectable errors, thesystem requests a new input from the user in step 930. In step 932, ifthe user answers that they do not have new input the system in exited instep 999. If the user has another digital media input file the systemreturns to step 920.

In step 934, the system determines whether the digital media input filesare old versions, if they are and need updating then they are updated instep 936, if not they proceed to step 938 in which the system compressesthe file for the conversion module.

In step 940 the digital media files are processed by the digital mediatransform module 460. In step 944 the intermediate digital media file isconverted to the desired output format. In step the 946 digital mediaoutput file is converted to the appropriate device. In optional step 947graphics, audio, and video is removed and/or transformed so that theoutput file may be viewed by lower memory devices, such as PDAs orhandheld computers. In step 948 this digital media output is placed inthe system server 492 for access by the user or other third parties. Instep 950 the user is sent an appropriate connection tool to access thedigital media or to send to third parties. In another embodiment theuser is simply emailed the digital media file if the user so determinesthat is appropriate delivery mechanism.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternate embodiment method for convertingand integrating digital media files with authoring tools 1100. Apreprocess step 1101 requires that the user loads the appropriate mediasoftware into the computer. In this example, the computer has beenpreloaded with Microsoft POWERPOINT®, but the invention may be used withother proprietary media platforms as well.

In step 1102 a user goes to an Internet site and chooses the link oricon to the appropriate authoring tool in step 1104. For example, thesite may include links for software to author POWERPOINT®, Macormedia®FLASH®, simple XML, etc. In step 1106 the server that controls theInternet site loads the HTML (or XML) software connection on the user'scomputer and in step 1108 loads the software into the computer.

Alternately, in step 1109, the user simply loads the software thepersonal computer via CD-ROM or floppy disk. In step 1110, the user runsthe install Wizard which checks in step 1111 to see if the appropriatesoftware is loaded, if it is not the user is informed and the system isreturned to step 1104. If the appropriate media software authoring isloaded then the user can press an icon to start the software in step1112.

In step 1120, the authoring tool software loads a Powerpoint® or otherappropriate media file into a buffer. In step 1122, the software placesa template over the media file. In step 1124, the software gives theuser a menu of choices of the format. In step 1126 the software executesthe desired choice. If the user selects the powerpoint-audio option, instep 1130 the software executes instructions which either adds an audiofile or in step 1132 allows the user to record an audio file while thePowerpoint® presentation is playing. In step 1134 the system adds anyother media files to the Powerpoint® file. In step 1150, the userchooses the “upload” option, which connects the personal computer tosystem 1000 in step 1152. In step 1154 the software loads the modifiedfile to system 1000, which then places the file in input handler module1020 in step 1156. Steps 926–998 are then performed, but step 940 can beskipped.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a digital media conversion and integrationsystem 400, which includes a first communications devices 402, a secondcommunications device 404, and a customer request input page 406. Thesystem also includes two distinct digital media files 410 and 412,respectively, which may be contained in one data storage file or two, anoptional timing marker or timing information file 414, and an optionalpresentation support file 415. The system also includes an output mediafile 599 and presentation data 598.

The system includes a publishing manager module 450 which controls andschedules the entire process of converting, integrating and publishingand distributes the digital media files 410 412, and 414, and 415between the modules, temporary file storage 418, and a digital mediainput handler module 420. The system also includes a digital mediatransformation module 460, a device building module 480, an outputcommunications device 490, a data storage 492, an optional networkserver 496 connected to an email delivery device 494 or an Internetconnection 498.

A client desires to convert one or more digital media files, such as aPowerpoint® file and an audio file, 410, 412 into a presentation thatcan be accessed by third parties over the Internet 405 or a networkserver 496. The client uploads the media files 410, 412, and theoptional timing and supplementary files 414, 415 to the system 400 viaan Internet or email connection 402. The client also specifies whichtype of presentation output they wish to be accessed and what type ofdevice in the customer input request page 406. The input request 406 ispassed along to the Publishing Manager Module 450, which controls theoverall process of the system 400.

The input handler module 420, checks and compresses the digital mediafiles 410, 412 and then passes them along to the publishing managermodule 450. The publishing manager module 450 adds the relevantinformation to the files 410, 412, such as the customer output request406 to the files 410, 412 and passes files to the digital mediatransformation module 460.

The digital media transformation module 460, takes the two digital mediafiles 410, 412, breaks them down into low level data components and thenconverts them to an intermediate format where two or more media filescan now be integrated. The media files 410, 412 are integrated andconverted again into the desired media output file 599. The media outputfile is then passed back to the publishing manager module 450 and if thefile 599 is ready for output, it is passed to the device building module480 where the file is made ready for the web, a PDA, etc., in apresentation format 598. The presentation 598 and the file 599 are thenstored on a computer readable medium 492 and, at the client's directiondownloaded onto a server 496 or placed in a location where thepresentation can be viewed via the Internet or email 405. Each of theprocesses in modules 420, 450, 460, and 480 is detailed below.

Referring now to FIG. 8A, a digital media conversion system 400 whichutilizes computer system 300, which includes a microprocessor 304, andwhich is coupled to a high speed local or memory bus 306 and an I/O bus308. Of course, buses 306 and 308 are shown for the purposes ofillustration and can be implemented in a variety of fashions. Coupled tothe memory bus 306 is random access memory (RAM) 310 and read onlymemory (ROM) 312, both of which are instances of computer readablemedia. Coupled to the I/O bus 308 are a number of peripherals such as akeyboard 314, monitor 316, network card 318 and other computer readablemedia 320. The computer readable media 320 can take a variety of formssuch as a hard disk drive or optical read/write systems, etc. Themicroprocessor 304 typically operates under program control stored inthe various computer readable media 320. System 400 is stored in thecomputer readable media 320 except for the communications devices 402404, the communications system 490, the data storage 492, and thenetwork server 496, which may be located on other computers.

Referring now to FIG. 8B, an expanded digital media conversion system400, in which computer system 300 interacts with one or more customerpersonal computers 350 all of which are connect to computer networks405, which is most likely the Internet.

Those skilled in the art of digital media programming would appreciatethat the digital media conversion system 400 is a distributed systemthat runs on multiple platforms. Such as system is indicated by FIG. 6C,and such as system 400 may be implemented by a plurality of computersystems 300 which are connected by a network 390, which is usually theInternet 494, but can be one or more local area networks or a wide areanetwork 496. The implementation of a distributed system allows theconversion system 400 to easily support the requirements of manydifferent media formats and output players.

Referring now to FIG. 9, an input handler module 420, which consists oftemporary data storage 424, a security checking module 426, a virusupdate module 427, a file error checking module 428, a file errorcorrection module 429, a update test module 430, and a compressionmodule 440.

The digital files are uploaded from the user's computer 350 through theInternet 405 to the temporary data storage 424. The data storage is keptapart from the rest of the modules in case the file is infected with acomputer virus. The files are then run through the security-checkingmodule 426 to determine if they are infected with a virus. If the filescontain a virus that cannot be remedied, the user is notified via theInternet or email 405 that the digital media files must be replaced andreloaded. The security-checking module 426 is continually updated on newviruses and other computer infectants by the virus update module 427. Ifthe files are not infected they are so marked and then placed on the inthe file error checking module 428, where the digital media files arechecked to see that they can be read and converted properly.

If one of the digital media files 410 or 412 contains an error thatcannot be corrected by the system 400, the user is informed via theInternet or email 405 that the file must be corrected and reloaded. Thedigital media files also go through the update module 430 which checksto see if the media file is the most current version. If the version ofthe digital media files 410 and/or 412 is not current, then the systemwill update and convert to the most current version of the media usingeither a custom update system or actually activating the proprietarysoftware.

After at least one of the files 410 and/or 412 has been updated to themost current version of the digital media file, at least one of thefiles 410 and/or 412 is then passed to the compression module 440 andcompressed. Compression of digital media files is well known by thoseskilled in the art of media software programming and can be achieved inmany different ways, including using proprietary compression softwaremade by a third party and used under license. Please note that the fileerror checking module 428 and the update module 430 may be combined intoone module, but their function are detailed separately for the purposesof enabling one of ordinary skill in the art to implement the invention.

Also included in the input handling module is an optional digital mediaupdate module 430, which consists of a media type sorter 432, and updatechecking module 434, and an update module 436. A digital media file 410enters the update module 430, at which time it is encountered by themedia sorter 432, which determines what type of digital media file it is(MPEG, Powerpoint, etc.). It then transfers the digital media file tothe correct update checking module to determine if the file is in themost current version (or a version which can be converted by thesystem). It is current then the system exits the digital media updatemodule 430 without altering the digital media files 410 and/or 412.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a digital media transformation module, 460,which includes digital media files 410, 412, a timing file 414, and apresentation support file 415, a customer output request 406, a mediarouter module 462, a transform engine 464, which contains up to 15 mediabreakdown modules 502–516, an intermediate media file assignment module466, a media integration and building module 470, which contains up to19 output modules, 561–579, an presentation indexer module 468.

The digital media transformation module 460, also referred as thetransform engine(s), is a series of complex computer code segments thatare responsible for changing the incoming media files 410, 412 into thedesired media output format 406. The incoming digital media data files(410, 412) are routed to the digital media transformation module by thepublishing manager module 450 from the input handler module 420.

The transform engines 460 break the digital data media files 410, 412into their low level components, translate the low level components intoa intermediate format, and integrate the intermediate formats wherepossible. There are intermediate formats which will not be able to beintegrated. Although, such situations would normally have been screenedout by the input handler module 420 or the publishing manager module450. The transform engines 460 also can take a timing file 414 orpresentation support files 415 and breakdown their components in orderto integrate them into the output presentation file so that twodifferent media can be synchronized without further authoring.

The media router module 462 determines what format of media files 410,412, 414, and 415 needs to be transformed to the desired output format406 and transfers the data contained in the file to the appropriatemedia breakdown module in the transform engine 464, which contains allthe individual breakdown modules. Table 1 below indicates how the mediarouter module 462 will assign different media file inputs to desiredinput media breakdown modules, which is not meant to be a comprehensivelist of all media formats covered by the present invention, but servesto illustrate how the media router module 462 assigns the digital mediafiles to specific modules which will break down the particular format ofthe digital media file input into components which then can beintegrated.

Although the specific media breakdown modules 502–516 are assigned to aspecific input-output category as indicated by Table 1, a skilledcomputer programmer will realize that many of these media specifictransformation modules 502–516 will use common algorithms 580 in orderto transform the digital media file to the desired output (or desiredmultiple output formats, such as both XML and a Flash presentation).

The diagram in FIG. 10 of the transform engine 464 is depicted as onemodule, but is comprised of many smaller modules 502–550 and a commonalgorithm module 580, but each module may use some the same algorithmsas other breakdown modules to perform the procedures necessary to getthe incoming media files into an intermediate digital format. Themodules can share algorithms because each individual “breakdown”procedure may have common characteristics with other “breakdown”algorithms, such a decompression, data structure recognition (i.e. colorbit, grayscale bits, etc). Of course, particular media breakdown modulessuch as powerpoint breakdown module 502 have modules which will workonly for the specific media file and cannot share specific algorithms.Other algorithms may include data pattern recognition algorithms whichfind data which fits a particular pattern and the module can recognizeas a certain type of media input, such as a volume instruction on anaudio file, or a color palette in a picture.

In some instances the Intermediate-level media will include timingsignals extracted from the digital media files 410–412. This extractioncan be supported by data in the digital media file itself, where such afile would inherently support a timing signal, such as the break betweenPowerpoint® slides. In other instances, a timing signal mechanism willbe provided by an external file or a timing approximation module 548which will provide the timing signals for synchronizing a portion of aaudio file with a specific slide or a particular slide with an animationfile segment. The presentation support module 549 will break down otherinformation such as text or graphics which can be later integrated intothe intermediate level digital file.

Although the intermediate format of the converted media will usually bein Extensible Markup Language (XML), a skilled programmer will realizethat different intermediate formats may be more appropriate for otherdigital media conversions. Such other intermediate formats may includeplatform-based standards (as opposed to proprietary standards like Real®Windows Media®) like M-JPEG, MP-3, etc. which are commonly utilized bycommercial players and other Internet devices for media displays. Thetypical format for the digital media output of the will consist of apresentation-ready files like XML, DHTML, Flash®, Powerpoint® withadd-ons, etc. Segments of digital video, graphics, and digital audiofiles are synchronized by the media synchronizer 478.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art of computerprogramming, the present invention's ability to break down the digitalmedia file into its components, allows for the manipulation of theresulting data structures to be reconstructed in a different scale. Thebreak down and reconstruction algorithms also allow the presentinvention to support a greater number of output formats than any of theprior art is able to because reconstruction of the digital media is farmore versatile. Additionally, because of these techniques, no otherprior art is able to convert animations.

TABLE 1A Module execution assignments for media file inputs and outputsThird Second Digital First Digital Digital Media Intermediate DesiredOutput Module Media input media input Input format Digital MediaAssigned Powerpoint ® XML Flash ® 502 Audio file proprietary Flash ® 503Audio XML Flash ® 504 Timing Animation XML Flash ® 505 TimingPowerpoint ® XML HTML/DHTML 502 Presentation Audio file proprietaryHotmedia 503 (G.723) Audio file proprietary Sun au 503 Audio fileproprietary ADPCM 503 Audio XML HTML/DHTML 504 Timing PresentationAnimation XML 505 Timing Supporting XML HTML/DHTML 506 presentationPresentation information Powerpoint ® Supporting Database 507presentation information Powerpoint ® Audio XML Flash ® with 508 audioPowerpoint ® Audio XML HTML/DHTML 508 Presentation Star OfficeHTML/DHTML 509 Presentation Powerpoint ® Flash ® None 510 Powerpoint ®Quicktime XML 511 M-JPEG-A Powerpoint XML 512 M-JPEG-B Powerpoint XML513 Flash ® Audio Flash ® with 514 audio Audio None Real 515 Audio NoneWindows Media 516

Referring now to FIG. 11, a digital media transform engine 464, which iscomprised of specific media breakdown modules 502–516, a data bus 501,and a common algorithm module 580. Tables 1A and 1B indicate whichformats can be broken down by the individual modules.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a digital media integration module 470, whichis comprised of specific output format modules 562–580, and a data bus471. Tables 2A–2E list the formats supported by the digital integrationmedia module.

TABLE 2 A–E Output module format assignments. A. Presentation formatFlash ® Player with 32 k bits per second audio, Flash 4.0 or above plugin required for the viewer: Integrated- Intermediate Secondary TertiaryConverted Module format Intermediate Intermediate format assigned formatformat XML ® 561 with animations proprietary 32 kbps MP3 562 audioProprietary Flash ® Timing Flash ® 563 Audio Information FlashProprietary timing Flash ® 564 audio

B. Presentation format Flash Player with 24 k bits per second audio,Flash 4.0 or above plug in required for the viewer: XML Flash withanimations 565 proprietary 24 kbps MP3 566 audio Flash ® Proprietarytiming Flash ® 567A audio Proprietary Flash ® Timing Flash ® 567B AudioInformation

C. Presentation format HTML/DHTML presentation with 8 k bits per secondaudio, no plug-in required for the viewer: XML Timing DHTML 568Proprietary Hotmedia (G.723) 569 audio Proprietary DHTML Timing DHTMLand (G.723) 570 Audio Information

D. Presentation format HTML/DHTML player with 32 kbs .au audio, noplug-in required for the viewer: XML Timing DHTML 571 Proprietary Sun au572 audio Proprietary DHTML Timing DHTML and Sun au 573 AudioAudioInformation

E. Other Output formats supported, with accompanying presentationformat: Secondary Tertiary Integrated- Intermediate IntermediateIntermediate Converted Presentation Module format format format formatFormat Assigned XML Timing Flash ® Flash ® with 574 multiple audio ratesXML Audio Timing Flash ® Flash ® with 575 real media Flash Audio Flash ®Modified flash 576 for PDA, with 32 kbs sound Audio Real ® 577 MediaAudio Windows ® 578 Media XML Audio Timing Flash ® Flash ® with 579windows media

Please note that the above table is a list of format conversions andintegration supported by the invention at the time of this patentapplication. The applicant's complex breakdown media modules 502–550 andintegration modules 560–580 will be able to handle conversions forsoftware not on the market at this time.

Additionally because the digital media files are stripped to theirconstituent components, the minimal amount of components can be combinedto reconstruct an output presentation file. Thus, the present inventionwill use much less bandwidth than prior art to get the same quality ofoutput presentation. For example if a frame only needs to have text“delivered” then the presentation will not send the entire graphic for aframe, whereas other prior art would deliver the entire frame using morebandwidth.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a device building module 480, which containsan output router 482, a data bus 481, and various device output formatmodules 582, 583, 584, 585, 586, 587, 589, and 590. The output routermodule distributes the digital media output file 599 to every devicebuilding that that customer requested. Table 3 indicates which modulesare assigned based on the requested device. It is expected that multipledevice output formats will be assigned at the request of the consumer.

TABLE 3 Output device builder module assignments: Module Device Outputformat Assigned Powerpoint ® with Audio, Internet presentation 582 Webpresentation, no player 583 Web presentation with proprietary player 584Cell/Digital Phone Screen 586 PDA Screen 587 MP3 Only 590 File storageonly 585

The device-building module 480 puts the output digital media file inwhatever presentation format was requested by the user when entered intothe consumer request input 406. So if the user chose “all” in theconsumer request input 406 for “devices to enable” then the devicebuilding module 480 determines which conversions the digital media fileoutput can be placed into and would activate all available devices. Theoutput file 599 travels along the data bus 481 in order to get to thespecific module for conversion to a specific electronic device.

Such conversion technology is prevalent in “web clipping” softwaretechnology which allows complicated graphics and text to be displayed ondevice with very little memory or display capability, such as cellphones or personal digital assistants (PDAs). These web clippingapplications do not convert complicated graphics for cell phones, butessentially remove graphics that would use too much display memory onsuch a device with limited memory. However, it may not be possible forall output formats to be available for all devices. For example, a cellphone screen simply would not have enough memory resources to display aFlash® output presentation file.

Referring now to FIG. 14, an alternate embodiment, a digital mediaconversion and integration system with authoring tools 1000. The systemincludes a personal computer 1001 connected to the Internet through acommunications device 1004. The digital media conversion and integrationsystem is connected to the Internet or other appropriate computernetwork 1005 through a communications device 1006. A software downloadmanager 1008 stores the software to be run on a personal computer 1001.

Other components of system 1000 are similar to the system depicted insystem 400, consisting of an input handler module 1020, a publishingmanager module 1050, a digital media transformation module 1060, adevice building module 1080 and communication system, 1090, data fordigital media storage. Other delivery mechanisms include an optional webserver 1096, which get files by a email system 1097 and a communicationsdevice connected to the Internet 1098. An executed install of theauthoring tool software, results in the placement of authoring module1040 install in personal computer 1001 memory 320 and executed by theCPU 304.

The digital media conversion and integration system with authoring tools1000 resembles system 400 in many ways with one important distinction:software is downloaded from the digital media conversion system to apersonal computer 1001 (or other appropriate authoring hardware device)and much of the conversion process takes place on the user's personalcomputer 1001, through the execution of the authoring module 1040 beforethe digital files are uploaded to the system 1008.

Referring now to FIG. 15, a detailed process digital media filebreakdown step 940. In step 1202 a particular digital media file type isassigned to a particular breakdown module. In step 1204 the file isexamined for picture primitives and the picture primitives are brokendown into components. In step 1206 the file is examined for audioprimitives and the audio primitives are broken down into components. Instep 1208 the file is examined for text primitives and the textprimitives are broken down into components. In step 1210 the file isexamined for animation primitives and the animation primitives arebroken down into components. In step 1212 the file is examined forgraphics primitives and the graphics primitives are broken down intocomponents. In step 1214 the file is examined for video primitives andvideo primitives are broken down into components. In step 1216 the fileis examined for supporting material primitives and the supportingmaterial primitives broken down into components.

In step 1230 the timing information recorded, all components derivedfrom the primitives are marked with timing markers and indexed on anarray. In step 1232 steps 1204–1230 repeated until the end of file isreached, and in step 1250 a search index generated based on timingmarkers and index arrays. In step 1252 the picture components areconverted to intermediate level format. In step 1254 the audiocomponents are converted to intermediate level format. In step 1256 thetext components are converted to intermediate level format. In step 1258the animation components converted to intermediate level format. In step1260 the graphics components converted to intermediate level format, andin step 1262 the video components are converted to intermediate levelformat. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there will bedifferent methods which can implement the search, breakdown, indexing,timing marker placement, and converting functions.

Additionally, the invention allows the user to choose from a variety ofpayment options. In one embodiment a user can pay a monthly fee andbecome entitled to a set amount of presentations per month, or anunlimited amount. In another embodiment, the user pays a set amount,which can vary by format, and the user will be entitled to convert adigital media file. The invention allows for the use of a credit cardnumber to be transferred and verified over the Internet as well for allof these payment options. Submitting financial information to any entityabout a credit card over the Internet to effect payment for services ordownloadable software is well know to persons in the art, and althoughit is part of the present invention in one embodiment, it can beappreciated that this aspect can be executed in a variety of ways.

While this invention has been described in terms of several preferredembodiments, it is contemplated that alternatives, modifications,permutations and equivalents thereof will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and study of thedrawings. It is therefore intended that the following appended claimsinclude all such alternatives, modifications, permutations andequivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

1. A computer-implemented method for converting multi-media content intoa plurality of target formats to deliver to one or more selected outputdevices, the method comprising the acts of: receiving one or more inputmulti-media content files; checking said one or more input multi-mediafiles for viruses and errors; performing de-virusing on said one or moreinput multi-media content files if said one or more input multi-mediacontent files have said viruses; performing error-correction on said oneor more input multi-media content files if said one or more inputmulti-media content files have said error; automatically identifyingmulti-media type primitive components in said one or more inputmulti-media content files after said checking, said performingde-virusing or said performing error-correction, wherein saidmulti-media type primitive components include audio primitivecomponents, picture primitive components, graphic primitive components,and supporting material primitive components; automatically decomposingsaid multi-media type primitive components into sub-components;automatically converting each of said sub-components of said decomposedmulti-media type primitive components into corresponding intermediateformat components; integrating said intermediate format components intoa single output representation file corresponding to each target formatof said plurality of target formats, wherein the integrating saidintermediate format components includes adding timing information andpresentation support information; adapting and routing a final output tocorresponding output device, wherein adapting includes adjusting saidoutput presentation file to fit bandwidth requirements of each selectedoutput device; and controlling, scheduling conversion and integrationprocesses associated with producing said final output corresponding toeach target format of a plurality of target formats.
 2. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprises adapting saidsingle output presentation file corresponding to each target format forviewing by a third party using different networking technologies,including wired, guided or line-of-sight optical, and radio frequencynetworking over any network including a wide area network, a local areanetwork, a wireless network, a public switched telephone network, or theInternet.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, furthercomprises requiring monetary remuneration in exchange for convertingsaid multi-media content into said plurality of target formats.
 4. Acomputer implemented multi-media conversion and integration system forconverting multi-media content into a plurality of target formats todeliver to one or more selected output devices, the system comprising:an input handler for: receiving one or more input multi-media contentfiles; checking said one or more input multi-media files for viruses anderrors; performing de-virusing on said one or more input multi-mediacontent files if said one or more input multi-media content files havesaid viruses; performing error-correction on said one or more inputmulti-media content files if said one or more input multi-media contentfiles have said errors; updating and compressing one or more inputmulti-media files; a publishing manager module for controlling,scheduling conversion and integration processes associated withproducing a final output file corresponding to each target format of aplurality of target formats; a translation module for: automaticallyidentifying multi-media type primitive components in said one or moreinput multi-media content files after said checking, said performingde-virusing or said performing error-correction, wherein saidmulti-media type primitive components include audio primitivecomponents, video primitive components, animation primitive components,text primitive components, picture primitive components, graphicprimitive components, and supporting material primitive components;automatically decomposing said multi-media type primitive componentsinto sub-components; automatically converting each of sub-components ofsaid decomposed multi-media type primitive components into correspondingintermediate format components; integrating said intermediate formatcomponents into a single output presentation file corresponding to eachtarget format of said plurality of target formats, wherein theintegrating said intermediate format components includes adding timinginformation and presentation support information; and an output devicebuilding module for adapting and routing a final output to correspondingoutput device, wherein adapting includes adjusting said outputpresentation file to fit bandwidth requirements of each selected outputdevice.
 5. A computer-readable medium carrying one or more sequence ofinstructions for converting multi-media content into a plurality oftarget formats to deliver to one or more selected output devices,wherein execution of the one or more sequence of instructions by one ormore processors causes the one or more processors to perform: receivingone or more input multi-media content files: checking said one or moreinput multi-media content files for viruses and errors; performingde-virusing on said one or more input multi-media content files if saidone or more input multi-media content files have said viruses;performing error-correction on said one or more input multi-mediacontent files if said one or more input multi-media content files havesaid errors; automatically identifying multi-media type primitivecomponents in said one or more input multi-media content files aftersaid checking, said performing de-virusing or said performingerror-correction, wherein said multi-media type primitive componentsinclude audio primitive components, video primitive components,animation primitive components, text primitive components, pictureprimitive components, graphic primitive components, and supportingmaterial primitive components; automatically decomposing saidmulti-media type primitive components into sub-components; automaticallyconverting each of said sub-components of said decomposed multi-mediatype primitive components into corresponding intermediate formatcomponents; integrating said intermediate format components into asingle output representation file corresponding to each target format ofsaid plurality of target formats, wherein the integrating saidintermediate format components includes adding timing information andpresentation support information; adapting and routing a final output tocorresponding output device, wherein adapting includes adjusting saidoutput presentation file to fit bandwidth requirements of each selectedoutput device; and controlling, scheduling conversion and integrationprocesses associated with producing said final output corresponding toeach target format of a plurality of target formats.
 6. A computerimplemented multi-media conversion and integration system for convertingmulti-media content into a plurality of target formats to deliver to oneor more selected output devices, the system comprising: means forreceiving one or more input multi-media content files: means forchecking said one or more input multi-media content files for virusesand errors; means for performing de-virusing on said one or more inputmulti-media content files if said one or more input multi-media contentfiles have said viruses; means for performing error-correction on saidone or more input multi-media content files if said one or more inputmulti-media content files have said errors; means for automaticallyidentifying multi-media type primitive components in said one or moreinput multi-media content files after said checking, said performingde-virusing or said performing error-correction, wherein saidmulti-media type primitive components include audio primitivecomponents, video primitive components, animation primitive components,text primitive components, picture primitive components, graphicprimitive components, and supporting material primitive components;means for automatically decomposing said multi-media type primitivecomponents into sub-components; means for automatically converting eachof said sub-components of said decomposed multi-media type primitivecomponents into corresponding intermediate format components; means forintegrating said intermediate format components into a single outputrepresentation file corresponding to each target format of saidplurality of target formats, wherein the integrating said intermediateformat components includes adding timing information and presentationsupport information; means for adapting and routing a final output tocorresponding output device, wherein adapting includes adjusting saidoutput presentation file to fit bandwidth requirements of each selectedoutput device; and means for controlling, scheduling conversion andintegration processes associated with producing said final outputcorresponding to each target format of a plurality of target formats.